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Ruben Loftus-Cheek to start against Germany at Wembley

England's Ruben Loftus-Cheek during the training session at St George's Park, Burton.
Image: Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start for England against Germany, Sky sources understand

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start England's friendly against Germany at Wembley on Friday, Sky sources understand.

Gareth Southgate is without midfielders Dele Alli, Jordan Henderson, Harry Winks and Fabian Delph for the high-profile game against Germany, which is followed by a friendly against Brazil on Tuesday.

Loftus-Cheek - on a season-long loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea - was called into the squad and it is understood he will be given the chance to impress from the start on Friday when he makes his international debut.

The 21-year-old has played eight times for Palace this season, under the guidance of former England boss Roy Hodgson since he took over from Frank de Boer at Selhurst Park in September.

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England boss Gareth Southgate denied there is a club v country row and insisted scans confirmed Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Harry Winks would be unavailable for both friendlies

Meanwhile, Southgate has declined to name his captain for the Germany match until the day of the game.

Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill and West Ham's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart are the favourites to wear the armband, although neither are guaranteed to start.

Cahill did not train with the rest of the squad on Thursday and is having further treatment at St George's Park, leaving him a doubt for the game.

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U20 players Jay Dasilva of Chelsea and Fulham's Tayo Eden - who were part of the England U19s side that won the European Championship over the summer - did train with the first team to make up the numbers.

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